CPD for Optometrists

This summary outlines CPD activities that allow the requirements of the Optometry Board of Australia to be met. The standards discussed are in accordance with the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law Act.

CPD Cycle

The CPD cycle runs for 2 years. All registered Optometrists must make a declaration at annual renewal that they have or have not completed the CPD required over the previous two registration periods. On 30 June 2019, the COAG Health Council approved the Board’s revised CPD registration standard, which will not come into effect until 1 December 2020.

CPD Requirements Effective Until the 30^th of November 2020

The following CPD requirements apply to Optometrists who:

Hold general or limited registration for postgraduate training or supervised practice
Hold limited registration for teaching or research.

It is specified that Optometrists must complete a minimum of 80 points of CPD activities over two registration periods. Of the 80 points:

A minimum of 24 points must be in face-to-face CPD activities.
60 of the 80 points must be completed in clinical CPD activities.
No more than 20 of the 80 points can be obtained be from activities relating to optical good and equipment provided by suppliers or manufacturers.

Additional Considerations
Optometrists who hold an endorsement for schedule medicines must complete at least 40 out of their 80 in educational activities related to their endorsement.

Optometrists must also complete training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) provided by or through an approved training provider. Training in CPR only needs to be completed within the previous three registration periods.

CPD Activities and Approval

CPD is divided into two categories:

1. Accredited activities are CPD activities that have been accredited by the Board in accordance with the guidelines. They meet the criteria specified by the Continuing Professional Development Accreditation Committee (CPDAC).
To be considered a provider of accredited CPD activities an organisation must:

Have a focus on education of optometrists.
Have adequate expertise in provided quality education that is appropriate for Australian optometrists.
Have a proven record of providing quality optometric CPD and a history of complying with the criteria.
Notify the Board of any changes to the organisation.
Have no conflicts of interest that may affect the quality of the educational content.

Additionally the organisation must not:

Unreasonably prevent Optometrists from enrolling in and attending CPD activities.
Unreasonably restrict Optometrists due to employment status and geographic location.
Delegate the task of developing or coordinating the educational content of CPD activities.

Further information on the accreditation process can be found on the Boards website in the Continuing Professional Development provider manual.

2. Non-accredited activities are CPD activities that have not been accredited by the Board. Optometrists can complete non-accredited activities however the record keeping requirements are different to accredited activities.
Examples of non-accredited activities and the number of points allocated to each activity are specified in the table below:

CPD Documentation

All registered Optometrists are required to keep a CPD portfolio to submit to the Board if they are audited. A CPD portfolio should identify learning needs and the types of activities that are undertaken to meet those needs.

For accredited CPD activities a summary record from the Optometrists Association Australia or any other approved provider is required.
For non-accredited CPD activities the learning objectives of the activity should be specified and an evaluation of the activities and how they relate to the individuals needs should also be provided. Supporting documentation is also required in the form of receipts, proof of attendance, or activity programs and brochures.

CPD Requirements Effective from the 1^st of December 2020

This standard applies to all registered Optometrists, except those with students or non-practising registration. These CPD standards will replace the former, effective from the 1^st of December, 2020. To meet this standard, you must:

Complete at least 20 hours of CPD each year that seeks to improve patient outcomes, draws on the best available evidence, contributes to maintaining competence and builds on existing knowledge.
Include a minimum of 5 hours CPD in an interactive setting with other practitioners.
Maximum of 5 hours CPD on non-scientific/non-clinical CPD activities.
Training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
Maintain a portfolio of your learning goals, planned CPD activities, and reflections on how these activities improve your practice.

For more information about these CPD guidelines click here.

Date of Issue: 7th January 2013
Last reviewed: 2nd April 2020
These guidelines will be reviewed every 3 years.